3 killed, many missing as coal mine collapses in India’s West Bengal

NEW DELHI: At least three people were killed and many others feared trapped after a coal mine collapsed in India’s eastern state of West Bengal, officials said Friday.

The coal mine collapsed on Wednesday late afternoon while the miners were doing extraction work inside Narayankuri colliery in the Raniganj area of Paschim Bardhaman district, about 197 km northwest of Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal.

“Three people were killed in the coal mine collapse and have been identified as local residents,” a police officer said. “We are being told that many others are missing and feared trapped inside.”

Police said a search and rescue operation is underway to trace the trapped miners.

Local media reports put the number of missing at around 10.

According to police, over two dozen people are reported to have illegally entered the mine. While some people managed to come out of it, others are said to have got trapped inside.

Experts say the coal mining industry is poorly regulated and miners with little protection are often faced with life-threatening situations.

-Xinhua